Dialling costs back: Jobhunters helpline lays off staff

Dialling costs back: Jobhunters helpline lays off staff

P45: Many callers are reporting getting through to answering machines on the job hunters helpline [GETTY]

Bosses at the taxpayer-funded National Careers Service slashed the help-line’s hours after job cuts but still claimed it was open for longer.

And staff were ordered to claim “all our advisers are busy” when callers asked to speak to an expert – but there was no one there.

The free phoneline’s website claims to offer “personalised help from careers advisers” seven days a week between 8am and 10pm.

“The official line is still ‘There are no CAs (careers advisers) available at the moment.’”

Ian Howard

But an undercover probe into the service reported calls are only answered between 9am and 8pm in the week and 10am and 6pm at weekends.

Helpline operator Broadcasting Support Services, which got £20million in public funding between 2012 and 2013, could have to pay a hefty fine if the allegations are proved.

Staff said they felt “part of a deception”, claimed investigators. They also claimed an email from BSS manager Ian Howard instructed staff: “The official line is still ‘There are no CAs (careers advisers) available at the moment.’